Debra Power - That's How I Roll (2019)

Calgary's piano ace and powerhouse vocalist Debra Power released Even Redheads Get the Blues in 2016. It was her first album after many years of performing locally. It was intended to bring her wider exposure and it did just that, leading to the semi-finals at the IBCs and to her nomination to the New Artist category at the Maple Blues Awards. She impressed at her Blues Summit Showcase that year as well. For the new album, she has twelve excellent new songs and performs them in an ambitious variety of settings from solo piano to big band. She opens with an anthemic "All Night Playing the Blues" that has the early 50's R&B feel of jump blues - it names her heroes proudly. On the rocking "Takin' the High Road" she's ditching someone whose opinion offended her. Cobalt Prize winner Ann Vriend adds sterling backup vocals and Mike Clark helps out on sax. "That's How I Roll" has the larger band with special guest Tim Williams on slide guitar. This attractive song is all about how she lives her life and it should be a model for everyone. "Last Time I'm Lovin' You" is a delightful duet with Jack Semple who also adds lead guitar. The repartee gets a little over the top but it's fun. Another great rocker has Ms. Power coming over to get her friend out of the house to party in "I'm Coming Over". Joey Landreth plays slide on this one. A highlight is the solo piano & vocal "Please Forgive Me Blues". It’s a warning to a partner who’s thinking of playing the field. The set list concludes with something very different: "Side on Sue" is a raunchy Chicago-style blues that features Steve Pineo on harp and Landreth on slide in a half-spoken, angry tale of an encounter with a crack addict in a bar. Debra Power has given us a very impressive sophomore album, it should do even more for her than the first one. ~John Valentyn